The Ravens have historically been known as an organization that can take on troubled players. For a team that is more often than not picking at the end of the first round, they’ve pounced on players that are top ten talents, but slip in the first round of the draft because of off-field issues and character concerns. Jimmy Smith is a prime example. With the exception of one minor incident last year, that gamble has paid off, and the Ravens have locked him up long-term.
[RELATED: Jimmy Smith’s Loyalty Results in Win-Win]
Despite the hit that the Ravens’ reputation has taken over the past year, they are still one of the strongest organizations in the NFL. They have a culture that gives players with a checkered past every opportunity to thrive and fulfill their dreams and goals of a successful career.
However, 2015 is not the year to roll the dice on one of those players, at least not in the first round.
As the draft approaches, the buzz of a team’s potential selection in the first round are swirling. While this buzz is mostly just a product of the media, one topic that seems to be gaining some traction is the Ravens interest in Dorial Green-Beckham.
[RELATED: Can Ravens Afford to Pass on “DGB”?]
Qadry Ismail was recently on the NFL network and predicted that the Ravens would select the troubled wideout with their first round pick. “They’re going to go with a receiver,” Ismail told the NFL Network. “They need to give Joe Flacco a weapon to replace Torrey Smith who left via free agency. And that’s why they’re going to pick Dorial Green-Beckham, the talented wide receiver from Missouri/Oklahoma.”
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report thinks the Ravens are the most likely team to draft DGB in round one as well. “They are the most likely suitor in the first round who could pull a move like that off,” said Miller.
Seriously?!
A team that was just under the national spotlight for the better part of the year for the way they handled a domestic violence issue should draft a player with a history of domestic violence in the first round?
Most draft experts will tell you that there are a dozen wide receivers who are first round talents in this year’s draft. If the Ravens really want to draft a weapon for Joe Flacco, they have their options. The absolute dumbest thing that they could do would be drafting Green-Beckham.
Shane Ray is another name that has been linked to the Ravens. John Harbaugh recently had very high praise for Ray. “We both like him, what first jumps out is his motor, right? This guy has an unbelievable motor. He’s going to get plenty of NFL sacks just because he’s going to keep coming relentlessly.”
Yesterday, news broke that Ray was cited for possession of marijuana early Monday morning. Depending on how you look at it, this could be good news for Baltimore. It is another potential opportunity to snag a player who was once viewed as a top five pick.
But even if he’s there, the Ravens should pass.
Regardless of your views on the NFL’s policy on marijuana or your views on legalization altogether, its use is currently prohibited in the NFL. A player driving around with it in his car four days before the draft is ridiculously poor decision making.
That’s the problem. Smoke weed all you want, but possessing it in your car four days before the biggest moment of your life is plain stupid, and that says something about what’s really important to Ray.
It’s been a tough year for the Ravens and their image. The recent releases of Bernard Pierce, Terrence Cody and Victor Hampton sent a message that actions that reflect poorly upon the team won’t be tolerated. Drafting a player with multiple red flags in the first round would send mixed messages.
If the Ravens reputation is really that important to them, it’s something they shouldn’t do, regardless of the talent.
